Poll: Westerners oppose federal public lands turnover

Ammon Bundy chats with a protester Jan. before occupying the headquarters of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. (Les Zaitz/The Oregonian via AP)

A majority of westerners oppose the idea of turning over federal public lands to states, and while most favor continued oil and gas development they want increased protection and tax incentives for wind and solar alternatives, according to a poll unveiled Monday.

The poll commissioned by Colorado College as part of its annual “State of the Rockies” project surveyed 2,800 residents of seven states.

“Charges of government overreach from the ideological fringes are making headlines, but in reality most Westerners in this poll favor greater protection and sensible use of the open lands and national treasures that define the region,” said Eric Perramond, a CC professor who directs the State of the Rockies Project.

The poll was released as the conflict continues at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, where an armed occupation reflects frustration with federal land management policies. The occupiers, including members of the Nevada-based Bundy family, have supported state takeover of public lands.

Former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar hailed the poll as timely, given attention on the West, saying it shows huge support for conservation of public land.

“These findings help capture the enthusiasm in the region for renewable energy,” Salazar added in a conference call with reporters.

Politicians with anti-public land views “are simply wrong,” Salazar said. “Over time, that truth will be born out.” As for the occupation in Oregon, he said, “we are a nation of laws. We have to enforce those laws.” While he’s not hearing the latest on local, state and federal enforcement, Salazar said, “I am certain the Bundys will be held accountable.”

Among the poll findings:

• 58 percent of respondents opposed transferring control over federal public lands to state governments, and 60 percent opposed selling public land such as national forests to cut the budget deficit
• 52 percent of respondents favored continued drilling and mining at the current pace, but with increased safeguards for land and water
• 10 percent favored continued drilling and mining without increased protection, and 22 percent favored stopping all drilling and mining
• 76 percent of respondents supported tax incentives for solar and wind energy production
• 63 percent favored encouraging use of solar and wind energy, compared with 3 percent for oil and 3 percent for coal
• 48 percent of respondents supported gradually reducing the number of new coal mines allowed on public lands while 31 percent opposed that
• 58 percent of respondents favored increasing royalty fees paid by companies that drill for oil and gas or mine for coal and minerals on national public lands

The poll was done by Republican pollster Lori Weigel of Public Opinion Strategies and Democratic pollster Dave Metz of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates. This is the sixth year Colorado College has commissioned the poll on public land and conservation issues.

State lawmakers around the West in recent years have proposed bills aimed at shifting control over federally-managed public land to state government. In Colorado, a bill to create a commission to study this died in the senate. Critics have pointed out that states likely would have to assume fiscal burdens of managing vast public lands if states took control.